Intangibles Will Crown Next World Series Champ
CHISOX WILL WIN IF BULLPEN IS SILENT, AGAIN
It's probably the oddest matchup since the underrated 1997 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins. Nevertheless, the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros have shown themselves to be the scrappiest and most fundamentall flawless teams in this year's playoffs.
Most likely, this year's World Series could become a battle of home team winning in their own parks. Chicago is going with their hottest pitchers in Jose Contreras and Mark Buerhle in the first two games, while Houston has been dominant at home the last two playoff years.
Houston's wildcard could be the NLCS MVP, Roy Oswalt. He'll pitch Game 3 in Houston and possibly the deciding Game 7 at U.S. Cellular Field.
The lack of playing time for the White Sox has done little to their intensity, going 7-1 in the playoffs, but the extreme inactivity of their bullpen could be a burgeoning problem. It's no secret that the Chicago's starting pitching performed amazingly in the ALCS, but threre was a reason why manager, Ozzie Guillen, didn't hail the bullpen except for 2/3 of an inning. Through seven games in the playoffs, Guillen has only had one game where the bullpen figured prominantly: Game 3 of the Division Series against Boston. Even in that game, Guillen chose to call Orlando Hernandez in an unconvential situation to valiantly stuff the defending champs.
Many may be concerned over the mental health of Houston's stopper, Brad Lidge, but Chicago's Bobby Jenks is young and highly inexperienced with the pressure or position of closer whether it's the regular season or the playoffs.
Guillen's managerial acumen has been truly amazing. It's likely, though, that his "feel" for gametime decisions will haunt him in this series with a miscue. He'll likely push his starting pitchers to the limit again, unless they get blown out, which is not likely with the inconsistent Astros offense.
This series is hard to forecast because rarely do both teams enter the World Series on the heels of momentum breaking plays and tenacious clutch hitting as the scrappy White Sox and resilient Astros have done.
The White Sox in six. The home team will win every game except the pivotal Game 5. Incidently, that lone road win will be won by the Series MVP, Jose Contreras.
It's probably the oddest matchup since the underrated 1997 World Series between the Cleveland Indians and Florida Marlins. Nevertheless, the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros have shown themselves to be the scrappiest and most fundamentall flawless teams in this year's playoffs.
Most likely, this year's World Series could become a battle of home team winning in their own parks. Chicago is going with their hottest pitchers in Jose Contreras and Mark Buerhle in the first two games, while Houston has been dominant at home the last two playoff years.
Houston's wildcard could be the NLCS MVP, Roy Oswalt. He'll pitch Game 3 in Houston and possibly the deciding Game 7 at U.S. Cellular Field.
The lack of playing time for the White Sox has done little to their intensity, going 7-1 in the playoffs, but the extreme inactivity of their bullpen could be a burgeoning problem. It's no secret that the Chicago's starting pitching performed amazingly in the ALCS, but threre was a reason why manager, Ozzie Guillen, didn't hail the bullpen except for 2/3 of an inning. Through seven games in the playoffs, Guillen has only had one game where the bullpen figured prominantly: Game 3 of the Division Series against Boston. Even in that game, Guillen chose to call Orlando Hernandez in an unconvential situation to valiantly stuff the defending champs.
Many may be concerned over the mental health of Houston's stopper, Brad Lidge, but Chicago's Bobby Jenks is young and highly inexperienced with the pressure or position of closer whether it's the regular season or the playoffs.
Guillen's managerial acumen has been truly amazing. It's likely, though, that his "feel" for gametime decisions will haunt him in this series with a miscue. He'll likely push his starting pitchers to the limit again, unless they get blown out, which is not likely with the inconsistent Astros offense.
This series is hard to forecast because rarely do both teams enter the World Series on the heels of momentum breaking plays and tenacious clutch hitting as the scrappy White Sox and resilient Astros have done.
The White Sox in six. The home team will win every game except the pivotal Game 5. Incidently, that lone road win will be won by the Series MVP, Jose Contreras.
